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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was Euthyphro prosecuting?

2. Who writes the comments introducing the first dialogue?

3. Euthyphro was prosecuting someone for what crime?

4. How did Socrates behave when his beliefs were challenged, according to Tarrant?

5. How did the conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened with Socrates' friend at the Oracle of Delphi?

2. What is "epistemology"?

3. Euthyphro admits that many people are upset by his decision. For what reason?

4. How did Socrates respond to people who commented on his great wisdom?

5. According to the introductory chapter, why have the notes been included with the text of the Socratic dialogues?

6. In the context of the dialogue of the same name, what does "apology" mean?

7. Who are some of the authors, mentioned in Book 3, Chapter 1, who wrote about Socrates?

8. Who are Apollo and Artemis?

9. What does Tarrant say in the introductory notes about other versions of these dialogues?

10. How were the four dialogues that were included in "The Last Days of Socrates" originally arranged?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the dialogues have to do with the concept of epistemology. What is epistemology? What does it have to do with philosophy? Why is it important? Why did Socrates concern himself with it? Are they ever able to reach a definitive conclusion? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Tarrant agrees with the conviction passed down by the Athenian authorities. Do you agree that Socrates was guilty? Why or why not? How do you feel about the fact that he was convicted with only 60 of 500 votes? Did he deserve the death penalty? Why or why not? What do you think would happen to Socrates if he lived today? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Socrates denies the accusation that he tries to teach; he claims that he is only an ignorant man who is inquisitive in an effort to gain knowledge. How sincere do you think his profession of ignorance is? Do you think he really believes it? Or is it simply an effort to circumvent the pride of learned men and get them to talk to him, even though he is challenging their beliefs? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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